PAC tied to DeLay fined, shutting down

Published 5:30 am, Friday, July 21, 2006

WASHINGTON - The political committee Tom DeLay set up to fund a national political takeover for the GOP has agreed to shut down and pay a fine for campaign finance violations.

In a settlement with the Federal Election Commission, the Americans for a Republican Majority political action committee admitted to violating complex federal election rules and will pay a $115,000 fine, officials said Thursday.

The committee, part of DeLay's Washington political apparatus, had been in the process of closing anyway following the Sugar Land representative's resignation from the House last month.

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An FEC audit of records for 2001 and 2002 found that ARMPAC had violated federal rules in dividing fundraising expenses for federal and nonfederal campaigns. The agency also concluded that the committee did not accurately report all outstanding debts and obligations.

The FEC noted that some of the rules violated by ARMPAC were later changed because they were considered confusing.

Jim Ellis, ARMPAC's former executive director, did not return a call for comment.

"Unfortunately, it is no longer surprising when Tom DeLay is found to be in violation of the law, as he is no stranger to unethical political fundraising practices," he said.

The national committee was not part of DeLay's Texans for a Republican Majority fundraising committee, which Travis County prosecutor Ronnie Earle has said illegally laundered money in order to funnel funds to state Republicans.

DeLay and three TRMPAC officials have been charged with crimes as a result of Earle's investigation — charges DeLay has denounced as naked partisan politics by a Democratic district attorney.

The charges were cited by DeLay as a key factor in his decision to resign his House seat. But a recent ruling by a state judge has held that DeLay must remain on the ballot as the GOP contender for the seat in November.